MINNETONKA, Minn. — On the heels of what's expected to be a summer like no other, business owners are looking to make up for lost time.
"Summer time is a big deal for Minnesotans and summer time is a very big deal for season businesses like ours," said Jay Soule, Owner of Al and Alma's Supper Club and Lake Cruises.
For Soule and so many other business owners, it's been a challenging year.
"Keeping up with the regulatory rules, understanding what they are. Lots of training changes and lots of protocol changes and we've had to make those very quickly," said Soule.
According to Explore Minnesota, the state lost nearly 50% of its tourism revenue last year, totaling $8.2 billion.
A hit Liz Miller is all too familiar with after ending the year down 50,000 dollars at her St. Paul bed and breakfast.
"For a small business like me that's a considerable amount," said Miller, Owner of The Covington Inn.
However, all hope isn't lost.
"Business is looking up for the summer, and I'm getting bookings and people are excited to get out of their house."
It's a quest for a sense of a normalcy at a time when our worlds are still somewhat restricted.
"We will continue to adapt and serve people as we need to," said Miller.
Inching us closer to those Minnesota summers we've all come to know and love.
"We're looking forward to fear lessening and hope increasing and fun on the horizon," said Miller.